New York Giants (1-7) vs. Washington (2-5)
The Giants enter the nation’s capital after a close loss on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Giants defeated Washington at home 20-19 in week 6 after Washington failed on a two-point conversion late in the game. “Big Blue” is not good enough to beat any team twice, and with a win on Sunday, Washington remains within striking distance in the NFC East.
Prediction: Washington: 24 Giants: 20
Denver Broncos (3-4) vs. Atlanta Falcons (2-6)
The Denver Broncos head west after snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Both teams have been underwhelming in 2020, but the Falcons have two things on their side heading into this matchup. The Falcons are more talented than Denver, and by playing on Thursday night in week 8 have had much longer to prepare than their opponent.
Prediction: Falcons: 31 Broncos: 26
Seattle Seahawks (6-1) vs. Buffalo Bills (6-2)
This is a statement game for both teams both the Seahawks and Bills as they try to claim their spot at the top of the NFL landscape. The Seahawks have a decided advantage with Russell Wilson under center, and Josh Allen has been struggling ever since being an early season MVP candidate. Even though the Seahawks have one of the worst defenses in league history, Buffalo is not the team to be able to exploit that weak spot.
Prediction: Seahawks: 38 Bills: 31
Chicago Bears (5-3) vs. Tennessee Titans (5-2)
The Titans are reeling after losing two straight games after starting the season 5-0 and the Bears have been offensively challenged throughout 2020. The Titans should be able to get back on track this weekend when they host the Bears as the Titans defense will turn over Nick Foles at least once on Sunday.
Prediction: Titans: 27 Bears: 20
Baltimore Ravens (5-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (5-2)
Lamar Jackson had a week to forget last Sunday when he had four turnovers in the Ravens 28-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cols are surrendering the second-fewest yards per game on the ground in 2020. The Ravens are averaging the most yards rushing through eight weeks. Whichever team’s strength prevails will be the victor in this heavyweight fight. The Colts led by Phillip Rivers do not have the offensive firepower though to keep up with the Ravens.
Prediction: Ravens: 24 Colts: 20
Carolina Panthers (3-5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (7-1)
The return of All-Pro Panthers Running Back Christian McCaffrey, who has been out since week 2, will give the Panthers a chance in this game. But it is a very small chance at that. The Chiefs have proven they are still one of the NFL’s best teams in 2020, and the Panthers will not be able to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes and company. The Panthers will need to dominate the time of possession battle to even keep the game close.
Prediction: Chiefs: 38 Panthers: 20
Detroit Lions (3-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (2-5)
The playing status of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is still up in the air after the Lions quarterback was deemed a close contact with a teammate that tested positive for COVID-19. The fact that Stafford, even if he even plays on Sunday, has not practiced this week does not bode well for the Lions. The Vikings, while underwhelming this season, still have a talented roster. Minnesota Vikings Running Back Dalvin Cook, who had a four touchdown performance in week 8 against the Packers, will be an integral part of the Vikings offense in this NFC North matchup.
Prediction: Vikings: 20 Lions: 17
Houston Texans (1-6) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
Jake Luton will be making his NFL debut for the Jaguars against the Texans in week 9. This game should be a tough watch, but the Texans have the far better offensive unit which will help them notch their second victory of the season.
Texans: 27 Jaguars: 13
Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (2-5)
The Raiders are flying high after a road victory against the Cleveland Browns last week and must keep winning so they can keep pace in the AFC playoff picture. Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert has played well thus far, but asking the rookie to defeat a borderline playoff team is too much to ask of Herbert in his seventh career game.
Prediction: Raiders: 34 Chargers: 24
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0) vs. Dallas Cowboys (2-6)
The Steelers are the only undefeated team left in the NFL, and the Cowboys may be the worst team in the entire league. This is not a good recipe for “America’s Team.” The Cowboys are also starting their fourth quarterback of the season against the Steelers to add insult to injury. The Cowboys have not scored a touchdown in their past two games and will struggle to even move the ball on Sunday against a top-tier Steelers defense. The Cowboys will need a minor miracle to keep the game within the 14.5 point spread.
Steelers: 31 Cowboys: 10
Miami Dolphins (4-3) vs. Arizona Cardinals (5-2)
Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will have a much tougher time this week against Arizona than he did in his NFL debut last week against the Los Angeles Rams. Tagovailoa only had 93 passing yards last week. The Cardinals have been a revelation in 2020, and are firmly entrenched in the NFC playoff picture. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will have a stiff test against the Dolphins defense, but the Dolphins offense will lead to their undoing in this AFC-NFC matchup.
Prediction: Cardinals: 28 Dolphins: 17
New Orleans Saints (5-2) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
The Buccaneers look to avenge their week 1 loss against the Saints in this crucial NFC South matchup. Tom Brady has been able to turn back the clock and has looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL throughout 2020. Drew Brees on the other hand has looked like a shot fighter that is unable to throw the ball deep down the field. The Saints need to sustain long drives to score, and they will be unable to do that consistently against the Bucs defense. Tampa is playing much better heading into this matchup, and after their win on Sunday, will have a stranglehold on the NFC South.
Prediction: Buccaneers: 34 Saints: 24
New England Patriots (2-5) vs. New York Jets (0-8)
The only thing working in the Patriots favor as they prepare for this primetime matchup is the New York Jets may be the worst team in the history of the league. Both the Patriots and Jets are offensively challenged to put it mildly, and points will be hard to come by. Patriots quarterback Cam Newton has fallen off the map after starting 2020 well, and Jets quarterback Sam Darnold will be unable to play in this game. Both Jets and Patriots fans will have nothing to cheer about once this game is over. It is a lost season for both.
Prediction: Patriots: 17 Jets: 6
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